We've got lots of parties this week, from Mardi Gras to the lighted night parade in Ybor City to a birthday party for an opossum. There also lots of other wallet-friendly diversions like trucks to climb on and a kids art show in this week's list of free and cheap things to do with kids:

Related News/Archive

Clowns and trucks will be in abundance for Touch-A-Truck and Florida Clown Day, shown above from last year. Kids will be able to climb on an assortment of vehicles while more than 100 clowns from the Uptown Clown Alley entertain the family. Visit the Community Business Expo featuring services demonstrations, free samples and promotional materials. Free (some attractions additional). Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. (727) 587-6740, ext. 5014. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

This weekend is fat with events leading up to Fat Tuesday, with Mardi Gras celebrations throughout Tampa Bay through Tuesday, which is supposed to be one last party before Lent:

Dunedin's Mardi Gras is a loud and raucous street party. Cut loose along Main Street with this celebration and "Big Mama's Ya Ya Etouffee" parade, featuring colorful floats with beer, wine and food for sale. And beads. Live music starts at 5 p.m. Tuesday, with the parade at 7:30. Free.

Sure the Sant' Yago Illuminated Knight Parade is known as a much more raucous version of the Gasparilla parade since it's at night and in Ybor City, but organizers swear that kids and families are encouraged and enjoy themselves. Alcohol is not sold on the street here like it is in Gasparilla, only inside the restaurants and bars. If you go, celebrity TV talk show host Steve Wilkos (a former Jerry Springer bouncer who developed a fan base of his own) serves as grand marshal for this parade featuring more than 100 illuminated floats, marching bands, krewes and their royalty. Wilkos has had cameos in The Wayans Bros., The Simpsons and in the Austin Powers movie The Spy Who Shagged Me because Springer fans love the chrome-domed tough guy. You can meet him Saturday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 N Orient Road, Tampa, where he will be greeting fans from 1 to 3 p.m. before the parade. The beads and floats start moving through Ybor at 7 p.m. Saturday at Seventh Avenue and Nuccio. It moves east on Seventh to 23rd Street, the parade's end. Free. Bleacher seats available for $24 at KnightParade.com.

See the collaborative work between the "big kids" — USF St. Petersburg Graphic Design students — and the "little kids" — students from Symmes Elementary School in Riverview — in the Big Kids Art Show. The school kids drew their favorite character, from Minnie Mouse to wrestler John Cena to SpongeBob, mostly in crayon, then the graphic design students enhanced the drawings on a grander scale. The artwork from the elementary students will be on display next to the artist's work that it inspired. See them at the opening reception at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 895-6620. Free.

Clowns and trucks will be in abundance for Touch-A-Truck and Florida Clown Day. Kids will be able to climb on an assortment of vehicles while more than 100 clowns from the Uptown Clown Alley entertain the family. Visit the Community Business Expo featuring services demonstrations, free samples and promotional materials. Free (some attractions additional). Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. (727) 587-6740, ext. 5014. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Celeberate the Chinese New Year at Glazer. Children can learn about Chinese culture and welcome the Year of the Snake. $15, $12.50 military/seniors, $9.50 children, under 1 free. Glazer Children's Museum, 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. (813) 443-3861. 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

See kids' shows come to life when The Doodlebops, Caillou and Strawberry Shortcake and her friends share an interactive musical play date that has families dancing in the aisles. 6 p.m. $25-$37.50. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 791-7400.

In celebration of Black History Month, this modern beauty pageant shows youth ages 7 to 18 the activities and opportunities available to them at the theater and give them the opportunity to showcase their talent and abilities in an effort to win the title. $20. St. Petersburg City Theatre, 4025 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 768-1654. 4 p.m. Sunday.

Nature's Elements

Kids take a walk in the preserve to explore nature through crafts and activities. Best for ages 4 to 7. $10. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg. (727) 893-7326. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Organic Gardening for Children

Children ages 7 to 11 can learn the basic of organic gardening, create art and choose seeds to take home for their own garden. $15. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, 1101 Country Club Way S, St. Petersburg. (727) 893-7326. 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Parent's Night Out: Kid's Night Pioneer Style

Mom and Dad can go out on a date while kids are entertained with pioneer fun and a campfire with s'mores. $15. Pinellas Pioneer Settlement, 2900 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 893-7326. 6-10 p.m. Saturday.

Children in grades K-5 can form teams and hunt for hidden treasures within the insect world. Learn where insects live and find out how to disguise yourself to become invisible and see nature up close. $33, $25 members. Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 987-6000. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday.

The TASCO teen program throws this annual semi-formal to formal Valentine's Day party for youth in grades 6-9 that includes DJ dancing, live entertainment, a Wii competition, photo booth, games and a best dressed male and female competition. $10 (includes dinner). J.W. Cate Recreation Center at Northwest Park, 5801 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. (727) 892-5060. 7-11 p.m. Saturday.